Brandon Marshall: I don't like the Packers

Dec. 12, 2012
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The Bears' Brandon Marshall, shown celebrating a first-quarter touchdown catch against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 22 at Soldier Field, says he dislikes the Packers more than any other team. / Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

by Lindsay Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay Jones, USA TODAY Sports

LAKE FOREST, Ill. â?? It has been nearly three months since the Green Bay Packers held Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall to two catches for 24 yards in Week 2.

Marshall has been counting the days to this week's NFC North rematch ever since. At his Wednesday news conference, Marshall called Sunday's game against Green Bay the "biggest game of my career."

It also is one Marshall said he is taking "personal" because he feels Green Bay players, particularly cornerback Tramon Williams and safety Charles Woodson, disrespected him and his teammates, including quarterback Jay Cutler, in September. Green Bay won that first meeting 23-10 at Lambeau Field.

"I don't like the Green Bay Packers. I'm not going to use the word 'hate,' but I really dislike the Packers and their players," Marshall said. "But you know what? The talk has to back it up. We'll go out there and do everything we have to do to get a win."

Marshall declined to say specifically what comments Packers players made after the September game that irritated him so much â?? "you'll have to go on Google or something," he said â?? but it was clear he thought Green Bay defensive backs took credit for stopping him one-on-one and thought Marshall got away with being too physical off the line of scrimmage.

"I didn't beat double and triple coverage or whatever they were throwing at me. I take it as a slap in my face when guys are talking about my lack of ability to do something against them when they have help all over the place," Marshall said. "I'm looking forward to one-on-one coverage. Hopefully, those guys, in a game like this, will go to their coach and say, 'Let me have him. I want Brandon Marshall. I want to stop Brandon Marshall.' Let's see what happens."

But, Marshall was asked, wouldn't that be a dumb decision for the Packers, given Marshall's 101-catch, 1,342-yard season, and the Packers' success against him last time?

"I don't know. I mean, the way some people talk is like they did that. I would love their play to back up their talk," Marshall said.

Marshall, who brought a Charlie Brown Christmas tree to use as a prop at his weekly news conference, said he wasn't worried about his comments winding up on bulletin boards inside the Green Bay locker room this week.

Neither is coach Lovie Smith.

"What Brandon Marshall is doing to stimulate our team is his play on the football field," Smith said. "He's performing each week at a high level. Those are the guys that are going to carry us through this last stretch."

The Bears have lost four of their last five games, have lost their lead in the NFC North to the Packers and are reeling heading into Sunday's game at Soldier Field. Smith's team is so stung by injuries this week that he decided to hold just a walk-through practice today rather than a full practice.

Canceling a Wednesday practice is virtually unheard of around the league.